A 22-year-old animal rescuer from Alaska was killed while trying to stop her boyfriend of six years, Victor Sibson, from shooting himself in the head, according to KTVA Alaska. Evidence suggests that the one recovered bullet went through Sibson’s skull and penetrated the chest of his girlfriend-victim, Brittany-Mae Haag. The incident occurred in the couple’s apartment.

Brittany-Mae Haag (Source: Screenshot from KTVA Alaska news video)

Sibson, on the other hand, survived the self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was charged with 2nd-degree murder and, if convicted, faces 99 years in prison, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. He appeared in court on Sunday wearing a helmet for obvious reasons.

Who knows why Sibson wanted to end his life? In answering that question, Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., said that those who commit suicide “… don’t believe there is a reason to live and the world will be better off without them.” Whatever the reason, suicide affects more than the person taking his or her life. In a statement to KTVA Alaska, Lopez urges those contemplating suicide to “Just get help,” because suicide:

affects a whole bunch of different families, whoever’s around that person.”

Indeed it does. In this case, it hurt the family and friends of the person who did not intend to take her life. Her intent was to save a life. Haag’s friends and family are now grieving the loss of their beloved daughter, sister and friend, and the rescue community and animals have suffered a terrible loss, too.

According to KTVA Alaska, “Haag worked with rescue animals and wanted to be a vet one day.” Haag’s mother, Sheila Lopez, said that:

[Her daughter] would come to my house with these dogs and ask me, ‘Mom, can you adopt this dog?’ No, Brittany, but thank you anyway.

The number to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. Anyone contemplating suicide is urged to call this number.